http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article ... h-landmark;came across this while investigating the appearance of a track access application for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.;the news item referring to the re-connection of the railway to NR refers to an interm lease of the box from NR.

Chris Osment wrote:I note the claim that PR is the "largest surviving GWR signal box" at 126 levers. Surely that accolade should go to Exeter West at 131 levers?

I'm not sure that's a fair way to judge size - I suspect architecturally Risborough North was probably significantly larger because it was built to accommodate a 126-lever frame at 5¼" centres whereas Exeter West was built to accommodate 118 levers at 4" centres. Risborough North is recorded as 79' in length, not sure about Exeter West's dimensions but I would not expect them to be near that. Both later had frame renewals.

Chris Osment wrote:I note the claim that PR is the "largest surviving GWR signal box" at 126 levers. Surely that accolade should go to Exeter West at 131 levers?

I'm not sure that's a fair way to judge size - I suspect architecturally Risborough North was probably significantly larger because it was built to accommodate a 126-lever frame at 5¼" centres whereas Exeter West was built to accommodate 118 levers at 4" centres. Risborough North is recorded as 79' in length, not sure about Exeter West's dimensions but I would not expect them to be near that. Both later had frame renewals.

John

Surely John that isn't quite right regarding Exeter West, I thought it was 118 levers at 5¼" centres which would explain why there is plenty of room for a 131 lever frame at 4" centres.

Fast Line Floyd wrote:Surely John that isn't quite right regarding Exeter West, I thought it was 118 levers at 5¼" centres which would explain why there is plenty of room for a 131 lever frame at 4" centres.

I'm pretty sure it was 4" centres. Remember it only opened in 1913. 5¼" frames were a bit old hat by then. We are only talking a difference of 23 levers to fit in, 12 or so at each end.

I don't know if the window sections are exactly the same size (but I doubt they differ greatly) but Exeter West has 7 against Risborough having 9. If you look at photographs there is really no contest.

it will be interesting to see how they propose to control their part of the station - the slew carried out recently seems to be slightly counter productive putting their trains onto the NR Thame branch rather than independently into the station. The TAA promises a map but none of the links work - I've tried prodding the webmaster.